Mercury Exposure And Poisoning

Mercury Exposure And Poisoning

Write a short note on mercury toxicity.
Answer:

Mercury is toxic to vital creatures:

• Free mercury should neither be sprayed nor exposed to the environment.
• Mercury hazards can occur during trituration, condensation, and finishing of restoration.
• Mercury vapors can be inhaled.
• Contact of skin to mercury should be avoided as it is absorbed by the skin.
• Mercury should not get in the sink as it reacts with the metal. It also reacts with gold.
• For mercury toxicity dental surgeons and dental assistants are at high-risk.

Mercury toxicity occurs when there is sudden exposure to high levels of mercury especially from elemental mercury or organic mercury. It results in immediate and severe symptoms requiring urgent medical attention. Toxic levels of mercury are measured in micrograms.

Levels of Mercury Toxicity (In Urine)

• At the level of 4 µg: This level is attributed as the upper limit in urine when extensive restoration of amalgam is present in the patient’s mouth.
• At levels 0 to 25 µg: No known health hazards are detected.
• At level 25 to 100 µg: Decreased response on tests done for brain conduction. The decreased response is related to verbal skills.
• At levels 100 to 500 µg: Mild to moderate effects can be seen:
  • Irritability
  • Depression
  • Nervous system disturbances, i.e. memory loss.
• At level 500 to 1,000 µg: Pronounced symptoms:
  • Inflammation of kidney
  • Tremors and pronounced nervous system disturbances
  • Swollen gums.
  • At 2000 mg: Joint pain develops
  • At 4000 mg: Hearing loss and death.